Extracts from microbial species in Red Sea brinepools found to have anti-cancer effects

In this study, researchers from China, Saudi Arabia and South Africa screened microbial species that live in harsh environments for secondary metabolites with anti-cancer activities. Their findings were published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Microbes that thrive in the brine pools of the Red Sea and in brine pool-seawater interfaces are exposed to high temperature, high salinity, low oxygen levels and high concentrations of heavy metals.

To survive these harsh conditions, these microbes produce a variety of secondary metabolites, some of which may have powerful anti-cancer properties.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that the active compounds produced by microbes in the Red Sea brine pool can potentially serve as novel anti-cancer agents for the treatment of advanced cancers.